Cyprus permanent residence by marriage to Cypriot
Updated:
Third-country nationals (non-European Union Citizens) married to Cypriot citizens can apply for a Cyprus residence permit as family members of a Cypriot. This is a renewable residence permit. It lets the foreign spouse live in Cyprus without a fixed end date for as long as the marriage subsists and the permit stays valid. It is separate from the Category F immigration permit and from residency by investment.
The same route covers other family members of the Cypriot citizen and the foreign spouse:
- children of either spouse under 21, children from a previous marriage included,
- older children of either spouse who remain dependent,
- dependent parents of the Cypriot citizen,
- dependent parents of the foreign spouse.
The main benefit is the right to reside in Cyprus without a time limit, for as long as the residence conditions keep being met and a valid permit is held.
Required documents for residence by marriage
- Passport or identity card of the Cypriot citizen and the applicant
- Marriage Certificate
- Non-marriage certificate of the foreign spouse from the country of origin, where applicable, and a non-marriage certificate of the Cypriot citizen from the wedding registrar if the marriage took place abroad
- Copy of the divorce and Affidavit of the spouse and the Cypriot who was not married since the issuance of the divorce
- Full medical insurance covering in-patient care, out-patient care, and repatriation of remains, or registration with the General Healthcare System (GeSY) together with cover for repatriation of remains
- A clean criminal record certificate for the foreign spouse from the country of origin
- Medical test results from the country of origin showing the foreign spouse is free of HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C, with a chest x-ray for tuberculosis. After arrival, the blood tests and the x-ray are repeated and certified by a doctor in the Republic
- Proof of stable and sufficient income for the foreign spouse and the Cypriot family member, shown through items such as bank accounts and their movement, pension, rental income, dividends, interest, or recent social insurance contributions
- The title deed of a property in Cyprus, a sales contract if title deeds are not available, or a Rental Agreement duly certified by a certifying officer and stamped at the tax office (original and copy bearing two stamps worth) must be submitted. In the case of a rental agreement, utility bills in the name of the Cypriot spouse or the couple must also be submitted.
- Birth certificate of any child who is a Cypriot citizen, with the child's Cyprus identity card or passport, where applicable
Documents issued abroad must carry an apostille stamp, or diplomatic certification where the issuing country is not party to the apostille convention. Each document has to be in Greek or English, or come with a certified translation.
Application procedure
Applications go to the Migration Department in Nicosia and to the aliens and immigration unit of the district police station in the other districts. The Cypriot spouse has to attend the submission, and biometric data is taken from the foreign spouse.
A complete application is examined within about four months. The permit duration follows the family member's status and runs up to five years where there is employment. The holder may then keep residing in Cyprus without a time limit, for as long as the conditions are met and the permit is renewed on time.
Citizenship for the foreign spouse
After holding a residence permit, the foreign spouse can apply for Cypriot citizenship when these conditions are met:
- three years of marriage completed before the date of application,
- two years of residence in the Republic before the date of application.
A couple living abroad has to give reasons for the request. A couple married at least five years with at least one child does not need to give that explanation. The route is set by the Civil Registry Law 141(I)/2002.
Read more about Cyprus citizenship by marriage.
Government fees
The form depends on whether the foreign spouse will work.
If the foreign spouse will work, the application uses form MCYE:
- residence and work permit, issued or renewed: €80
- registration in the register of foreigners, charged on first registration only: €70
If the foreign spouse will not work, the application uses form MCYV:
- residence permit, issued or renewed: €50
- registration in the register of foreigners, charged on first registration only: €70
Frequently asked questions
Can I get permanent residence in Cyprus by marriage to a Cypriot?
Yes. A third-country national married to a Cypriot citizen can apply for a residence permit as a family member of a Cypriot. The Cypriot spouse attends the submission at the Migration Department. There is no minimum length of marriage to apply for this residence permit. The three years of marriage plus two years of residence test belongs to the citizenship stage, which comes later.
What are the MCYE and MCYV forms?
The MCYE and MCYV are the application forms for a family member of a Cypriot. MCYE applies when the foreign spouse will work, and it leads to a residence and work permit. MCYV applies when the foreign spouse will not work, and it leads to a residence permit without employment.
Both come from the Migration Department: open the MCYE form and supporting documents or the MCYV form and supporting documents on the official site, with current versions MCYE3 and MCYV3.
How much does the marriage conclusion cost in Cyprus?
Municipalities charge from about €150 to €200 for the ceremony and about €15 for the marriage certificate, with additional costs for an accelerated date or getting married on Saturday or Sunday. The cost of a church wedding varies depending on the church district, typically around €150. The certificates of freedom and the marriage license cost about €60,00. The cost of divorce varies with the case's complexity, and rates are agreed upon beforehand with your family lawyer.
Is marriage to a Cypriot a 100% guarantee of citizenship?
There is never a guarantee that an application will be successful. If the applicant fulfils the criteria (three years of marriage and two years of residence preceding the application) and has no prior immigration issues, it is highly likely to result in citizenship. Rejection reasons are set out in a letter from the Civil Registry of the Ministry of Interior, which decides citizenship applications, with the option for judicial review.
What are the advantages of permanent residence by marriage in Cyprus?
A spouse of a Cypriot can reside in Cyprus without a time limit for as long as the marriage subsists, the residence conditions are met, and a valid permit is held. The permit is renewable, not a one-time permanent grant.
Spouses and partners of Cypriot citizens have access to the labour market, including self-employment, once they hold a residence and employment permit. After divorce, annulment, or the death of the Cypriot spouse, the right does not continue by itself. The person may apply for a residence permit separately. The Migration Department weighs the length of the marriage, shared commitments, parental responsibility for any children, and the immigration record.
What is the spousal visa in Cyprus?
A “spousal visa” in Cyprus refers to the right to apply for residence and later citizenship if married to a Cypriot. Read more about the spouse visa in Cyprus.